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By
Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaman_K-1200_K-Max
| K-1200 K-MAX |
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| A HELOG Heliswiss Kaman K-Max |
| Role |
Medium lift helicopter |
| Manufacturer |
Kaman Aircraft |
| Status |
Active |
| Number built |
38+ |
The Kaman K-MAX (Company designation K-1200) is an American helicopter with intermeshing rotors built by Kaman Aircraft. It is optimized for external load operations.
Development | |
Kaman K-1200 "K-MAX" operated by Timberline Helicopters |
The K-MAX series are the latest in a long line of Kaman synchropters, the most famous of which is the HH-43 Huskie. The first turbine-powered helicopter was also a synchropter.
The K-1200 K-MAX "aerial truck" is the world's first helicopter specifically designed, tested and certified for repetitive external lift operations and vertical reference flight, an important feature for external load work. Other rotorcraft used for these tasks are adapted from general-purpose helicopters, or those intended to primarily carry passengers or internal cargo. The aircraft's narrow, wedge-shaped profile and bulging side windows gives the pilot an unprecedented view of the load looking out either side of the aircraft.
The K-MAX relies on the two primary advantages of synchropters over conventional helicopters. The first of these is the most efficiency of any rotor-lift technology; the other is the synchropter's natural tendency to hover. This increases stability, especially for precision work in placing suspended loads. At the same time, the synchropter is more responsive to pilot control inputs, making it easily possible to swing a load thus to scatter seed, chemicals or water over a larger area.
For hazardous missions, an unmanned remote-control version of the K-MAX is planned, the K-MAX Unmanned Multi-Mission Helicopter. It could be used in combat situations to deliver supplies to the battlefield, as well as civilian situations involving chemical, biological or radiological hazards.
A total of 38 K-1200 K-MAX helicopters are known to have been built. As of May 2008, 13 of these were unairworthy or have been written off in accidents.
Operators
 Austria- Wucher Helikopter
 Canada- MacKenzie Heli Services, HeliQwest,
 Colombia
 Japan- Kyokuto Boeki (Japan Royal Helicopter), Akagi Helicopter
 South Korea- Lucky Air
 Liechtenstein- ROTEX
 New Zealand- Helico NZ
 Switzerland- Eagle Helicopter, Helog Heliswiss
 United States- Mountain West, Woody Contracting, Superior Helicopter, Timberline Helicopters, Rainier Heli-Lift
Specifications (K-MAX)
Data from {www.kamanaero.com}
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) external load
- Length: 51 ft 10 in (15.8 m)
- Rotor diameter: 48 ft 3 in (14.7m)
- Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
- Empty weight: 5,145 lb (2,334 kg)
- Useful load: 6,855 lb (3,109 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 12,000 lb (5,443 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Honeywell T53-17 turboshaft, 1,800 shp ()
Performance
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
External links
Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Published in July 2009.
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